Water quality guidelines for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park

Abstract

This record includes the current (2010) and expired version (2009) of water quality guidelines on the Great Barrier Reef.

While the Great Barrier Reef is one of the richest, most complex and diverse ecosystems in the world, it is also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Adverse effects are already being observed on plants, animals and habitats in this World Heritage Area. Good quality water is essential for the proper functioning of the Reef’s ecological systems if it is to have any chance of enduring the impacts of climate change. For example, a coral’s ability to recover from bleaching resulting from a rise in sea temperature is significantly reduced if it is living in degraded water